A massive investment is urgently required to upgrade the energy efficiency of rural homes - Calor

We can start saving carbon now, giving us time to win over hearts and minds and complete the massive and complex job of upgrading energy efficiency in our rural homes, writes Calor.

Rural homes are generally older, detached, and with lower levels of energy efficiency than urban. Research by National Energy Action and the Campaign to Protect Rural England recently found the energy efficiency of rural homes is five years behind urban. Only 3% of off-grid homes are at EPC level of Band C. A massive investment is urgently required.

But most of the easy stuff has already been done. According to a YouGov survey of rural off gas grid households Calor conducted recently, 79% have already installed double-glazing and 72% loft insulation. The next phase must include underfloor and external wall insulation, but will be much more disruptive to consumers’ lives, and more expensive.

Consumers need to be on board with these changes. If high costs and disruption are imposed, there will be resistance and delay. The slow rollout of smart meters shows it’s hard to get consumers to accept inconvenience, even when there’s strong reasons to do so.

Switching to a low carbon fuel like Calor’s bioLPG means consumers can continue to use their existing gas boiler while gaining an immediate carbon saving of around 80% compared to conventional LPG fuel. Even more if oil boilers and coal are displaced. We can start saving carbon now, giving us time to win over hearts and minds and complete the massive and complex job of upgrading energy efficiency in our rural homes.